Safety Advice

By allowing you to contact tutors directly, The Tutor Pages helps you keep the costs of tuition low because you don’t have to pay any agency fees. However, this places the responsibility on you to make sure that the tutor is safe for you or your child.

Advice For Parents

While the vast majority of private tutors are reputable, The Tutor Pages recognises that parents still need to be cautious when hiring a private tutor directly. So here are a few tips for parents which we've compiled.

• consider hiring a tutor who has an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check. The Criminal Records Bureau perform a CRB check on anyone before they work at schools, charities or other organisations to make sure they have no convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings which would prevent them from working with children. Tutors who have had a CRB check (for example, school teachers) will say so in their interview section of their Tutor Pages profile, and you can ask to see their CRB disclosure certificate when you meet them. However, please be aware that many excellent tutors do not possess CRB certificates, because only institutions and not self-employed individuals are permitted to apply for one.
• check to see whether the tutor is properly accredited and qualified. You can do so by asking to see evidence such as certificates, and by contacting the relevant accreditation body or organisation.
• ask the tutor for referee details, and contact them.
• ask to speak to the parents of some of the tutor’s current or former students.
• ask the tutor pro-active questions, and listen for inconsistencies in information you are being told.
• be clear where the tutoring will take place and who will be present. You may wish either to be present in the same room, or to be outside the room but with the door left open.
• trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid of calling off the lessons if you or your child feels uncomfortable.

Advice For Students

While the vast majority of tutors are reputable, students are still advised to take care of their personal safety when meeting a tutor for the first time. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust gives expert advice on all areas personal safety, and we've used some of their ideas for the following tips:

• try to talk on the phone before meeting. Ask pro-active questions, and listen for inconsistencies in information you are being told.
• trust your instinct and don’t be afraid to call off the meeting if you feel worried.
• meet in daylight, and in a public place if possible.
• don’t let anyone pick you up by car.
• take your mobile phone with you, and possibly a personal alarm.
• tell a friend or family member where you are going, and when you expect to return.
• if you are visiting someone’s home, ask if anyone else is going to be there and, if you’re concerned, also ask about any pets.
• if someone is visiting your home, let them know that a friend or family member may also be there.

Advice For Tutors

Coming soon.